NEW DELHI, APRIL 12, 2025– In a landmark event for the Indian legal community, former Chief Justice of India, Dr. DY Chandrachud, on Thursday, attended the official launch of Zen Access Law Associates, India’s first law firm led entirely by lawyers with disabilities.
The firm will provide legal services in key practice areas including corporate and contractual law, intellectual property law, service law, and disability rights law. This initiative aims to break barriers in the legal profession and ensure a more inclusive legal ecosystem.
The launch event was organized as a public dialogue between Dr. Chandrachud and the co-founders of Mission Accessibility, Advocates Rahul Bajaj and Amar Jain, and was attended by over 350 people, the majority of whom were persons with disabilities.
MISSION ACCESSIBILITY: LEGAL SUPPORT FOR THE MARGINALIZED
Mission Accessibility, a legal rights initiative led by Bajaj and Jain, provides pro bono and low-cost legal services to persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups. In the past year alone, the organization has handled 42 cases across courts and tribunals in India.
During the discussion, the co-founders posed eight questions to Dr. Chandrachud, chosen from 43 questions submitted by persons with disabilities from across the country. Topics ranged from legal reforms to inclusive representation and systemic accessibility.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM DR. CHANDRACHUD’S ADDRESS
REFORMING THE ROLE OF DISABILITY COMMISSIONERS
Dr. Chandrachud emphasized the need to reassess the enforcement powers of disability commissioners under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
“The time is appropriate to reconsider the powers granted to disability commissioners,” he said.
He suggested granting commissioners the power to issue binding orders, enforce implementation deadlines, and levy monetary penalties for non-compliance. He also advocated tax incentives to promote voluntary compliance with accessibility norms.
ADDRESSING JUDICIAL DELAYS IN DISABILITY RIGHTS CASES
On the topic of delay in hearing disability rights matters, Dr. Chandrachud remarked:
“While setting up a special bench was one option, a more effective approach might be to integrate these matters across judicial benches.”
He noted a growing understanding and empathy in the judiciary towards disability rights, signaling a positive shift in the legal landscape.
INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION IN LEGAL PRACTICE
Calling for greater inclusion of lawyers with disabilities in public legal roles, Dr. Chandrachud said:
“The Central government should consider appointing lawyers with disabilities as panel counsel.”
He proposed convening a national conference involving Chief Justices of High Courts, law secretaries, senior government officials, and disability commissioners to discuss measures for inclusive representation in legal advocacy.
PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE FORMER CJI
In a deeply personal revelation, Dr. Chandrachud shared that he currently faces challenges securing accessible housing in Delhi for his two daughters.
“I have been struggling to find a residence in Delhi that would cater to the special needs of my two daughters,” he shared.
The former Chief Justice will be vacating his official residence by April 30, drawing attention to the broader issue of inaccessible infrastructure, even in urban and elite housing sectors.
A MILESTONE FOR INCLUSIVE JUSTICE
The launch of Zen Access Law Associates signifies a powerful step forward for the representation of persons with disabilities in the Indian legal system. With leaders like Dr. DY Chandrachud backing the cause, and dedicated organizations like Mission Accessibility leading the way, the path to inclusive justice and systemic reform appears more promising than ever.
NEW DELHI, APRIL 12, 2025:
In a landmark event for the Indian legal community, former Chief Justice of India, Dr. DY Chandrachud, on Thursday, attended the official launch of Zen Access Law Associates, India’s first law firm led entirely by lawyers with disabilities.
The firm will provide legal services in key practice areas including corporate and contractual law, intellectual property law, service law, and disability rights law. This initiative aims to break barriers in the legal profession and ensure a more inclusive legal ecosystem.
The launch event was organized as a public dialogue between Dr. Chandrachud and the co-founders of Mission Accessibility, Advocates Rahul Bajaj and Amar Jain, and was attended by over 350 people, the majority of whom were persons with disabilities.
MISSION ACCESSIBILITY: LEGAL SUPPORT FOR THE MARGINALIZED
Mission Accessibility, a legal rights initiative led by Bajaj and Jain, provides pro bono and low-cost legal services to persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups. In the past year alone, the organization has handled 42 cases across courts and tribunals in India.
During the discussion, the co-founders posed eight questions to Dr. Chandrachud, chosen from 43 questions submitted by persons with disabilities from across the country. Topics ranged from legal reforms to inclusive representation and systemic accessibility.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM DR. CHANDRACHUD’S ADDRESS
REFORMING THE ROLE OF DISABILITY COMMISSIONERS
Dr. Chandrachud emphasized the need to reassess the enforcement powers of disability commissioners under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
“The time is appropriate to reconsider the powers granted to disability commissioners,” he said.
He suggested granting commissioners the power to issue binding orders, enforce implementation deadlines, and levy monetary penalties for non-compliance. He also advocated tax incentives to promote voluntary compliance with accessibility norms.
ADDRESSING JUDICIAL DELAYS IN DISABILITY RIGHTS CASES
On the topic of delay in hearing disability rights matters, Dr. Chandrachud remarked:
“While setting up a special bench was one option, a more effective approach might be to integrate these matters across judicial benches.”
He noted a growing understanding and empathy in the judiciary towards disability rights, signaling a positive shift in the legal landscape.
INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION IN LEGAL PRACTICE
Calling for greater inclusion of lawyers with disabilities in public legal roles, Dr. Chandrachud said:
“The Central government should consider appointing lawyers with disabilities as panel counsel.”
He proposed convening a national conference involving Chief Justices of High Courts, law secretaries, senior government officials, and disability commissioners to discuss measures for inclusive representation in legal advocacy.
PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE FORMER CJI
In a deeply personal revelation, Dr. Chandrachud shared that he is currently facing challenges in securing accessible housing in Delhi for his two daughters.
“I have been struggling to find a residence in Delhi that would cater to the special needs of my two daughters,” he shared.
The former Chief Justice will be vacating his official residence by April 30, drawing attention to the broader issue of inaccessible infrastructure, even in urban and elite housing sectors.
A MILESTONE FOR INCLUSIVE JUSTICE
The launch of Zen Access Law Associates signifies a powerful step forward for representing persons with disabilities in the Indian legal system. With leaders like Dr. DY Chandrachud backing the cause, and dedicated organizations like Mission Accessibility leading the way, the path to inclusive justice and systemic reform appears more promising than ever.
